How to Remove Iron Burns from Carpet

Srini asked: How do I clean a carpet where a clothes iron fell on it? While I was ironing my shirts, the iron fell on the carpet by mistake. How do I fix the carpet?

The carpet in our homes takes more wear and tear than any other part, so it’s worth the effort to fix problem areas. When irons fall onto the carpet, there are three different levels of burn marks that remain. Sometimes, the iron sits for only a second and the very tops of the fibers are damaged. This is considered a less-severe burn and can be trimmed away. Other times, the iron lands in such a way that a more significant length of the fibers are burnt and requires replacement of that piece of carpet. The least severe is when the fibers are not burnt at all, there are just some scorch marks that can be cleaned away. Follow the instructions below to get the best results possible.

How to Remove and Replace the Burnt Section

Begin by vacuuming any debris away so you can start with a clean work area.

Use a utility knife to carefully cut out the section of carpet that has been burned. Cut deep enough to cut through the carpet backing, but try to avoid cutting the padding underneath.

Next, lay the removed piece on top of the scrap piece. Match up any patterns and make sure that the pile is going in the same direction. This will help the new piece to blend in with the remaining carpet.

Cut around the removed piece, using it as a pattern, to create two pieces that are the same size and shape.

Next vacuum the section where the carpet was removed to clean out any carpet fibers, etc. that may have collected in the area.

Place the scrap piece into the hole and trim to make any adjustments. Try to get it to fit as close as possible to the original hole.

When the piece is cut to the correct size, you are ready to install it. Apply a double-sided tape or carpet adhesive to the padding in the open spot.

Place the new piece onto the adhesive and ensure that patterns and pile direction are lined up. Press firmly in place.

Cover with a heavy book to keep the piece in place while the adhesive dries. (Skip to step 11 if using the double-sided tape.)

Let the dry for several hours before removing the book and/or walking over the area.

Remove book and gently comb carpet with wide-toothed comb to blend the new piece in with the existing carpeting.

Comments

Thank you Susan. This is fantastic. I will try it this weekend. You have saved me hundreds of $$$. I stumbled upon your site from a blog I read and it’s one of the best sites. This site is definitely on my watch list from now on.

I’ve done this on my carpet and it now looks way better! Thank you! Only problem is that it doesn’t blend too well, as the old carpet is worn and the new piece is springy! Any tips on how to wear it down??

This is a miracle fix! I had dropped my iron on the rug for a few seconds, and it left a light burn, but very obvious. After a minute of using the sandpaper, I could see that it was disappearing! It’s gone with no evidence of the burn mark. Thank you so much; you saved my rug!